London Calling with Susie Bubble

“You can’t be bored in London,” Susie Lau, aka Susie Bubble, says and recites the most cliché — yet still accurate — quote about her city: When you’re bored of London, you’re bored of life.

Susie Bubble is an industry powerhouse, designer darling and the original blogger. Since launching Style Bubble in 2006, Susie’s thoughts on fashion have ascended from bedroom blogging to internet phenomenon, and turned her into a style icon along the way.

“I started Style Bubble during the first era of self-publishing, in the spirit of setting up MySpace pages and experimenting with HTML. It was very geeky and I never expected anyone to read or view the content, but I made amazing friends online, and it just grew.”

“I’m trying to keep the great essence of the fashion industry alive and there are a lot of super creative people using fashion as social and political commentary. Those voices keep me doing what I’m doing,” she says about what motivates her.

Being a blogger and influencer in 2019 entails being on the move all the time and Susie Bubble hasn’t spent more than two consecutive weeks in London this year. Still, she would never consider moving anywhere else.

“I grew up here, I’ve been here all my life, and I love seeing the changes happening from decade to decade. There’s something very constant with London — conversations with cabbie drivers, English breakfast at grim cafés — and so many things that are constantly changing. I love the contrast.”

Susie Bubble’s style doesn’t discriminate any garment. She’ll go from grungy to girly to bursting in colour to minimalistic to layered in print-heavy pieces. The one thing her style isn’t — is boring. “I’ve never been afraid of weird combinations!” she proclaims, recalling how her fashion interest was first sparked when she, in her early teens, discovered DIY tie-dying and Camden’s never-ending supply of second-hand shops.

“I’ve always been very into matching things, and this set is strangely casual and a surprisingly easy way of wearing faux-leather.”

Hair clips and a hair brush to keep the trademark fringe in place, eye drops, lip balm, compact powder, cash, and a healing crystal. “The crystal is a recent addition. I’m not a very spiritual person but I carry it with me as a reminder of an amazing conversation I had with a friend.”

FOR BRUNCH…
The Good Egg
“It’s close to my house and it’s perfect for an indulgent brunch. I could eat at The Good Egg every day. They have amazing eggplant with tahini, amazing sandwiches, and babka.”

FOR KEEPING THINGS ORGANISED…
Present & Correct
“I’m a sucker for stationary and this tiny old-fashioned shop has all the trinkets — pens, letters, envelopes — and other little things I love. I always buy a lot of small items here.”

FOR INSPIRATION…
William Morris Gallery
“I love all things William Morris; both the patterns and the man. This gallery is dedicated to his work and often hosts exhibitions putting his prints into context. It’s also connected to a park so I can have my experience and my daughter can have hers.”

FOR SPICY SICHUAN…
Kaki
“This place is legit. It’s a converted pub that has some of the best Chinese food in all of London, and I always bring my fashion friends who also love spicy food. We revert to Chinese a lot because there’s so much variety.”

FOR A SECRET GREEN SPACE…
Culpepper Community Garden
“London has so many little green pockets. Culpepper Community Garden is right in a busy neighbourhood but feels very secluded and secret. It’s a great place to meet up with someone, and watch at the locals who tend it.”

SOMETHING ABOUT YOU NO ONE WOULD EXPECT?
“That I’m a neat freak! I like to keep thing perpendicular, placing things at a right angle to each other.”

MOST PRIZED POSSESSION?
“Old photographs. I have a whole box of them under my sofa. Polaroids, letters and other things I’ve accumulated over the last ten years that I would never, ever throw away.”

THE FIRST JOB YOU EVER HAD?
“Silver service waitressing at Arsenal Football Club. I did it to fund my fashion habit but ended up becoming a hardcore football fan.”

THREE THINGS YOU LOVE?
“Insanely salty food, extra nails and being able to stay curious all the time.”

WHEN DO YOU GET NERVOUS?
“Public speaking makes me a little bit nervous. Also, being told off, it makes me really embarrassed and hot.”

MOST PLAYED SONG ON YOUR SPOTIFY?
“Transatlanticism with Death Cab For Cutie. I love the American indie era post, post, post grunge.”

SOMETHING EVERYONE SHOULD TRY?
“A new cuisine at least once a month. Food is a window to other cultures and the best way to find out what a place is all about.”

BEST GIFT YOU EVER RECEIVED?
“It’s cheesy, I know, but it’s the gift of life. Being able to have a child is something I never took for granted.”

BEST GIFT YOU’VE EVER GIVEN?
“A massive jar of paper stars. It was very popular in Hong Kong when I was a kid, and I folded 500 puffy stars and gave them to my best friend when we were 12. Giving someone a jar of puffy paper stars means you really love them.”

WHAT WOULD YOU CHOOSE AS YOUR LAST MEAL ON EARTH?
“My mum’s food! I would want her to make all of my favourite Chinese dishes, especially her braised mushroom and chicken dish, dumplings and wontons.”

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